The First Order

"Patriarch, do you suspect that Melgor is linked to the chaos in Winston City?" the Winston family's patriarch asked.

"No, he's just a junior sorcerer. The House of Tudor is after him over a trivial matter of jealousy." The Berkeley family's patriarch said slowly on his horse, "Someone has investigated the matter thoroughly. It was just that some unexpected things happened along the way. What I underestimated was the Tudor family's determination to kill him."

To be honest, the Berkeley family's patriarch was a little puzzled initially. In his opinion, Melgor was only a junior sorcerer. Back when that guy claimed the fiefdom of York County, he was even the one who personally signed off on the documents.

At that time, he had personally seen Melgor casting spells and tested him on his proficiency in them. The Berkeley family's patriarch was quite sure Melgor was just a weakling, so he did not link him to the incident in Winston City.

It could be said that Melgor had cleared himself of any suspicion with his strength.

As such, the Berkeley family's patriarch always wondered why the House of Tudor was so insistent on having Melgor killed. What was their motivation?

No matter how many spies the House of Berkeley had, they could not possibly know that the Tudor family's patriarch had his nostrils poked.

After all, the Tudor family's patriarch had not even mentioned that incident to his own clan. Unless Ren Xiaosu went out to publicize it, no one would know how such a deep feud had formed between Melgor and a behemoth like the House of Tudor.

A lot of things were destined after Ren Xiaosu poked the Tudor family's patriarch in the nose with a tree branch…

However, the Berkeley family's patriarch did not know all that. It was only when he suddenly found out that Melgor had mastered the Boiling Airburst spell that he gradually figured out some things.

Or rather, it did not matter whether he had figured it out or not. It was enough as long as this person was useful.

The Winston family's patriarch called over a son and ordered in a low voice, "Go and summon Melgor. The patriarch wants to meet him. Remember, you must bring him here!"

What he meant was that even if Melgor had to be killed, they'd have to bring him here no matter what.

When the Berkeley family's patriarch heard this, he laughed. "There's no need for violence. I just wanted to invite him over for a quick chat."

The Winston family's patriarch was stunned. He seemed to be missing some details. Why else would the House of Berkeley treat a junior sorcerer so nicely?

Then, the Berkeley family's patriarch said to the Winston family's patriarch, "Tell everyone to attend the memorial service in front of the cathedral tomorrow morning to pay their respects to the Winstons' deceased. After that, we'll take the oath of allegiance."

Upon hearing this, the Winston family's patriarch felt a chill run through him. It looked like the real war was about to begin.

He said cautiously, "Patriarch, the House of Norman's determination to support the House of Tudor this time is greater than we thought…. I heard the Knights of Radiance have already assembled outside Ghent City."

"It's fine." The Berkeley family's patriarch said confidently, "This time, our new friend from afar will be sending us some gifts. We won't be fighting alone. He'll be arriving at Winston City in a few days. At that time, you can get to know him better. Besides that, I also want your House of Winston to hold back the Vosses in the west once the war starts. Are you confident?"

"Yes." The Winston family's patriarch said passionately, "I'm willing to sacrifice myself to your cause, Patriarch!"

The Berkeley family's patriarch smiled and tapped his horse whip lightly on the shoulder of the Winston family's patriarch. "Our cause."

…

That afternoon, the Knights of the Hymn galloped through the streets and informed all the residents of the memorial service to be held at the cathedral the next day.

By the time Ren Xiaosu heard their announcement at the relay station, the knights' voices had gone hoarse.

He wondered if there were other, more advanced ways of informing people in the Kingdom of Sorcerers. Did they have to rely on shouting for their communications?

At this moment, he was thinking about the principles behind the summoning spell. His main direction of thought was: Why did the words "Prosperous Northwest" correspond to the summoning spell?

Did it mean that everything could be linked to the Prosperous Northwest?

While thinking, he suddenly saw through the window a group of the Knights of the Hymn arriving at the relay station's entrance. A knight commander said loudly, "Is Lord Sorcerer Melgor here at this relay station?"

Qian Weining walked out of the relay station. "Yes, he's here. Please come with me."

"Thank you for leading the way," the knight commander said.

Ren Xiaosu observed the expressions of the knight commander and Qian Weining and realized they clearly knew each other. Moreover, the knight commander was well aware of Qian Weining's rank in the Knights of the Inferno, which explained his politeness.

Otherwise, with the strict hierarchy in the Kingdom of Sorcerers, not even a common knight would give a second glance to a so-called vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, let alone a Chamber of Commerce located in the remote York County.

Before the Knights of the Hymn could enter, Melgor seemed to have heard the commotion. He hurriedly went over to Ren Xiaosu and inquired, "What should I do? Could they be looking for me because of the collapse of Winston City's wall?"

"I don't think so." Ren Xiaosu said, "Don't worry, you have me around. At most, I'll just break out of here with you."

At this moment, the knight commander's voice rang out outside the door, "Lord Melgor, the Berkeley family's patriarch has summoned you for an audience."

Melgor was stunned. "The Berkeley family's patriarch?"

Ren Xiaosu quickly took out a micro-earpiece from his storage space and pushed it into Melgor's ear. "I'll guide you from afar."

"Aren't you coming with me?" Melgor was a little flustered.

"If I go with you, what if you instinctively look at me every time you're asked a question?" Ren Xiaosu snapped. "Just be yourself. and they won't be able to sense anything wrong."

Melgor asked in a low voice, "Be myself? How?"

"Just act cowardly as usual."

Melgor was speechless.

Ren Xiaosu instructed, "You can only behave naturally without me by your side, understand?"

"… OK."

Ren Xiaosu said, "When the time comes, I'll be able to hear your conversation. At the critical moments, I'll prompt you on how to answer. Just repeat whatever I say."

"Mhm, got it." Melgor nodded frantically.

The Berkeley family's patriarch would never expect Melgor to be equipped with such a high-tech system.

"Lord Melgor?" the knight commander urged.

Melgor pushed open the door and stepped out. When he saw the armored Knights of the Hymn, he was so flustered he did not know what to say.

When the knight commander saw Melgor's nervous expression, he assured him, "Patriarch Berkeley is only inviting you for a chat. There's nothing to be worried about."

Ren Xiaosu said into the earpiece: "Why should I be worried about sewage like y'all?"

Melgor said, "Why should I be worried about sewage like y'all?"

The Knights of the Hymn was stunned.

The corners of the knight's eyes twitched several times. 'You were even trembling a little when you said that. What's with the sudden threatening words?'

Qian Weining thought to himself that Melgor was indeed planted here by the House of Norman to entrap the House of Tudor upon hearing him speak so confidently.

Ren Xiaosu, who was in the room, did not know whether to laugh or cry. He whispered, "I'll try my best to speak less from now on. You should handle it by yourself for now…."

Fortunately, Melgor did not repeat those words.

After Melgor was taken away, Ren Xiaosu quietly followed them. He had thought it through. This Berkeley family's patriarch had better speak nicely. But the moment he revealed any killing intent towards Melgor, Ren Xiaosu would have to strike first.

After all, Melgor was the person he had chosen to head the Prosperous Northwest's branch office.

Taking advantage of the encroaching twilight, Ren Xiaosu climbed to the top of a building across the Winston Cathedral. Then he took out his black sniper rifle and loaded it with the black bullet he usually could not bear to use.

Although Ren Xiaosu had told Melgor not to be afraid, with his cautious character, it was better to be safe than sorry when it came to someone like the Berkeley family's patriarch. Right from the beginning, he brought out his most lethal ranged weapon.

It was also the most unstoppable weapon in the Kingdom of Sorcerers.

Ren Xiaosu lay prone on the roof and blended in with the darkness of the night. He placed his face close to the scope so he could observe the Berkeley family's patriarch, who was inside the cathedral.

He glanced at the flag with a lion emblem fluttering at the entrance of the cathedral. Distance: 671 meters; wind speed: 15 meters per second.

At this moment, the Berkeley family's patriarch was unaware of the danger approaching him.